Cooling system for an instrument panel of a vehicle

ABSTRACT

The subject invention provides a heat transfer device ( 24 ) for controlling the temperature of an instrument panel ( 18 ) extending from and under a windshield ( 16 ) of a vehicle ( 10 ). Sunlight ( 22 ) passes through the windshield ( 16 ), thereby heating the surface of the instrument panel ( 18 ). The instrument panel ( 18 ) then transfers the heat to an interior compartment ( 14 ) of the vehicle ( 10 ) affecting the thermal comfort of a passenger. The heat transfer device ( 24 ) directly removes the heat stored in the instrument panel ( 18 ) to limit the transfer of heat from the instrument panel ( 18 ) to the interior compartment ( 14 ). Preferably, the heat transfer device ( 24 ) circulates a flow of cooling air ( 40 ) over the surface of the instrument panel ( 18 ) to remove the heat stored therein. As such, the heat transfer device ( 24 ) limits the heat transfer into and thereby cools the interior compartment ( 14 ) of the vehicle ( 10 ) to meet the desired thermal comfort level of the passenger in less time and with less energy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention relates to a heat transfer device for controlling a surface temperature of an instrument panel of a vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a typical vehicle having a body defining an interior compartment and a windshield, a large amount of solar radiation enters the vehicle through the windshield. A panel (instrument panel) extending from and under the windshield is exposable to sunlight. The panel absorbs the solar radiation from the sunlight and retains a significant amount of heat generated by the solar radiation. The panel then transfers the heat into an interior compartment of the vehicle, thereby affecting the thermal comfort of the vehicle passengers.

Traditionally, vehicles have included air conditioning systems for improving the thermal comfort of a passenger. A typical air conditioning system includes a blower for providing a flow of air through a HVAC module having an evaporator for removing heat from the air. The blower then urges the cooled air through a network of passageways to a plurality of outlets. The outlets then direct the flow of cooled air towards the passengers of the vehicle. The objective of the typical air conditioning system is to provide a cooling effect to the passengers by directing the flow of cooled air directly at the passengers.

However, the thermal comfort of the passengers is not strictly dependent on the ambient air temperature within the interior compartment of the vehicle. The heat transfer from the panel also greatly affects the passengers thermal comfort. As the panel transfers heat to the interior compartment of the vehicle, the desired ambient air temperature of the passengers decreases. If the heat transfer from the panel is limited, the desired ambient air temperature of the passengers increases. Therefore, the more heat transferred from the panel to the interior compartment of the vehicle results in the passenger desiring a lower interior compartment temperature in order to satisfy the passenger's thermal comfort requirements.

While the typical air conditioning system helps to improve the thermal comfort of the passengers, it does not address the effect of heat transfer from the panel into the interior compartment of the vehicle. Thus, the typical air conditioning system does not directly remove the heat from the panel. Therefore, the typical air conditioning system must provide a lower ambient air temperature to meet the thermal requirements of the passengers, which is accomplished by spending additional time and energy removing heat from the flow of air.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The subject invention provides a vehicle comprising a body defining an interior compartment and a windshield. A panel having a surface extends from and under the windshield and into the interior compartment of the body. The surface of the panel is exposable to sunlight through the windshield thereby heating the surface by solar radiation. The vehicle further includes a heat transfer device for directly removing heat from the surface of the panel to control the temperature of the surface and lower the heat transfer from the panel to the interior compartment of the vehicle.

The subject invention also provides a method of cooling a panel having a surface extending from and under a windshield of a vehicle. The method comprises the steps of heating the surface of the panel by subjecting the surface to sunlight passing through the windshield. The method further includes the step of directly removing heat from the surface of the panel to reduce heating of the panel by sunlight and lower the heat transfer from the panel to the interior compartment of the vehicle.

Accordingly, the subject invention provides a vehicle with a heat transfer device that controls the surface temperature of the panel such heat is removed from the panel. The invention reduces the heat transfer from the panel into the interior compartment and increases the thermal comfort of the passengers in less time and with a lower energy requirement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of another embodiment of the vehicle;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of another embodiment of the vehicle;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of another embodiment of the vehicle;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of another embodiment of the vehicle; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of another embodiment of the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a vehicle is generally shown at 10. The elements of the invention which reoccur throughout the different embodiments are numbered ten through ninety nine. The elements that are specific to each individual embodiment are preceded by a number corresponding to the embodiment. For example, elements of the invention that are specific to the preferred (first) embodiment are numbered in the 100's, whereas elements that are specific to the second embodiment are numbered in the 200's. Likewise for the third through sixth embodiments.

The vehicle 10 includes a body 12 defining an interior compartment 14 and a windshield 16. A panel (instrument panel) 18 having a surface 20 extends from and under the windshield 16 and into the interior compartment 14 of the vehicle 10. The surface 20 is exposable to sunlight 22 through the windshield 16 and absorbs heat by solar radiation therethrough. The vehicle 10 further includes a cooling system, generally shown at 23. The cooling system 23 includes a heat transfer device, generally indicated at 24, for directly removing the heat from the surface 20 of the panel 18 to control the temperature of the surface 20.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the heat transfer device 24 includes at least one vent 26 disposed on the surface 20 of the panel 18 for dispersing a fluid flow (flow of air) 40 directly over the surface 20 of the panel 18. The vent 26 is an outlet for exhausting the flow of air 40 into the interior compartment 14 of the vehicle 10. A blower 28 urges the flow of air 40 through a HVAC module 30 and a plurality of passageways 142 a to the vent 26. The vent 26 then disperses the flow of air 40 directly over the surface 20 of the panel 18 and into the interior compartment. The flow of air 40 removes heat from the panel 18 as it passes over the surface 20, thereby controlling the temperature of the surface 20.

The vent 26 receives the flow of air 40 directly from the HVAC module 30 through at least one of the plurality of passageways 142 a, which is in direct fluid communication between the vent 26 and an exhaust port 160 of the HVAC module 30. At least another one of the plurality of passageways 142 b directs the flow of air 40 from the interior compartment 14 back to the blower 28.

The vehicle 10 further includes a control mechanism 34 operable by a passenger for controlling the heat transfer device 24. The passenger registers a desired thermal comfort level at the control mechanism 34. The control mechanism 34 then determines if the actuation of the heat transfer device 24 is required. If so determined, the control mechanism 34 actuates the heat transfer device 24 to achieve the desired thermal comfort level. The control mechanism 34 may include such mechanical and electrical connections as is known to one skilled in the art necessary to operate the heat transfer device 24.

The HVAC module 30 includes an evaporator 36 for removing heat from the flow of air 40 as it passes therethrough. The control mechanism 34 is operatively connected to the evaporator 36 for actuating the evaporator 36 when required to meet the thermal comfort level of the passenger.

The plurality of passageways 142 a, 142 b convey the flow of air 40 from the HVAC module 30 to the interior compartment 14 of the vehicle 10 and from the interior compartment 14 back to the blower 28. In this way, the flow of air 40 circulates through the interior compartment 14 of the vehicle 10. The circulation of the flow of air 40 provides additional thermal comfort to the passenger. Alternatively, another of the plurality of passageways 142 c may draw the flow of air 40 from the exterior of the vehicle to the blower 28. The passenger selects whether the flow of air 40 is to circulate through the interior compartment 14 by the passageway 142 b, or whether the flow of air 40 is to be drawn from the exterior of the vehicle by the passageway 142 c.

The vehicle 10 also includes at least one valve 144 operatively connected to the control mechanism 34. The control mechanism 34 actuates the at least one valve 144 for controlling the flow of air 40 between the plurality of passageways 142 a, 142 b, 142 c for determining a circulatory path of the flow of air 40. The control mechanism 34 actuates the at least one valve 144 to direct the flow of air 40 from the blower 28, through the HVAC module 30 and the plurality of passageways 142 a, to the vent 26.

Preferable, the vehicle 10 further includes a humidity sensor 38 operatively connected to the control mechanism 34 for sensing an exterior humidity level outside the vehicle 10. The humidity sensor 38 prevents the heat transfer device 24 from operating if the exterior humidity level is above a pre-determined level, thereby preventing condensation from forming on the windshield 16. However, the humidity sensor 38 is optional and is not required to operate the heat transfer device 24.

In a second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the vent 26 receives the flow of air 40 from an instrument panel outlet 246. The vent 26 then directs the flow of air 40 over the surface 20 of the panel 18 as described above. At least one of the plurality of passageways 242 a is in fluid communication between the HVAC module 30 and the instrument panel outlet 246. Additionally, at least one of the plurality of passageways 242 b is in fluid communication between the vent 26 and the instrument panel outlet 246, whereby the at least one of the plurality of passageways 242 a, 242 b conveys the flow of air 40 to the vent 26 from the HVAC module 30. The instrument panel outlet 246 is preferably disposed on a vertical surface 248 of the panel 18 and is oriented to direct the flow of air 40 at the passenger. A portion of the flow of air 40 is diverted from the instrument panel outlet 246 to provide the vent 26 with the flow of air 40 sufficient to cool the surface 20 of the panel 18.

In a third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the surface 20 of the panel 18 is manufactured from a mesh or porous material. In this embodiment, the entire surface 20 becomes the vent, which is generally shown at 26. The blower 28 provides the flow of air 40 to an underside 319 of the surface 20 by at least one of the plurality of passageways 342. The flow of air 40 diffuses through the mesh or porous material of the vent 26 thereby removing the heat from the surface 20 of the panel 18.

In a fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the heat transfer device 24 includes at least one vent 26 disposed on the surface 20 of the panel 18 for drawing the flow of air 40 directly over the surface 20 of the panel 18. The vent 26 is an inlet for returning the flow of air 40 from the interior compartment 14 of the vehicle 10. The blower 28 draws the flow of air 40 from the vent 26 through at least one of the plurality of passageways 442 a and back to the blower 28.

In accordance with the fourth embodiment, the blower 28 includes at least one port in fluid communication with the vent 26 by at least one of the plurality of passageways 442 a. The control mechanism 34 actuates the blower 28 to begin drawing air from the interior compartment 14 of the vehicle 10. The blower 28 draws the air over the surface 20 of the panel 18 and through the vent 26 such that the flow of air 40 removes heat from the surface 20 of the panel 18 as it flows across the surface 20. The blower 28 then urges the flow of air 40 through the HVAC module 30 and back to the interior compartment 14 of the vehicle 10 by another of the plurality of passageways 442 b.

The vehicle 10 disclosed in the fourth embodiment also includes at least one valve 444 operatively connected to the control mechanism 34. The control mechanism 34 actuates the at least one valve 444 to direct the flow of air 40 from the vent 26 to an inlet port 462 of the blower 28; and then through the HVAC module to the interior compartment 14 of the vehicle 10.

In a fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the blower 28 is in fluid communication with a defrost air vent 546 by at least one of the plurality of passageways 542 a. The defrost air vent 546 is utilized as an inlet to draw the flow of air 40 over the surface 20 of the panel 18 to remove the heat from the panel 18. The defrost air vent 546 is in fluid communication with the HVAC module 30 by at least one of the plurality of passageways 542 c.

In accordance with the fifth embodiment, at least one valve 544 is operatively connected to the control mechanism 34 and is positioned within the plurality of passageways 542 a, 542 c to divert the flow of air 40 between the plurality passageways 542 a, 542 c. When the control mechanism 34 signals for the actuation of the heat transfer device 24, the at least one valve 544 only allows the flow of air 40 between the defrost air vent 546 and the blower 28 for cooling the surface 20 of the panel 18, thereby blocking the flow of air 40 from the HVAC module 30 to the defrost air vent 546. When the control mechanism 34 does not signal for the actuation of the heat transfer device 24, the at least one valve 544 only allows the flow of air 40 from the HVAC module 30 to the defrost air vent 546, thereby blocking the flow of air 40 form the defrost air vent 546 to the blower 28.

In a sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the heat transfer device 24 includes a liquid coolant 648. At least one of the plurality of passageways 642 travels adjacent to the surface 20 of the panel 18. A liquid coolant 648 circulates through the at least one passageway 642 for removing heat from the panel 18, such that the heat is transferred from the panel 18 to the liquid coolant 648. The vehicle 10 further includes at least one valve 644 operatively connected to the control mechanism 34. The control mechanism 34 actuates the valve 644. When the control mechanism 34 signals for the actuation of the heat transfer device 24, the at least one valve 644 opens to allow the liquid coolant 648 to flow through the at least one passageway 642, thereby transferring the heat from the panel 18 to the liquid coolant 648. The heat may then be removed from the liquid coolant 648 by a method known to one skilled in the art so that the liquid coolant 648 may be recirculated back through the at least one passageways 642.

The subject invention also provides a method of removing heat from a surface 20 of a panel 18 extending from and under a windshield 16 of a vehicle 10. The method comprises the steps of heating the surface 20 of the panel 18 by subjecting the surface 20 to sunlight 22 passing through the windshield 16 and then directly removing the heat from the surface 20 of the panel 18 to control the temperature of the surface 20. The method, therefore, removes heat from the panel 18 and thereby reduces the amount of heat transferred to the interior compartment 14 of the vehicle 10.

The method further includes the step of sensing a humidity level outside the vehicle 10 for determining if actuation of the heat transfer device 24 will produce condensation on the windshield 16. If the humidity level is above a pre-determined level, it is likely that condensation will form on the windshield 16 as heat is removed from the surface 20 of the panel 18, thereby cooling the panel 18. When the humidity level is above the pre-determined level, the control mechanism 34 will not actuate the heat transfer device 24 to prevent condensation from forming on the windshield 16 and to prevent obstructing a driver's visibility.

The method further includes the step of actuating a heat transfer device 24 for removing heat from the surface 20 of the panel 18. A control mechanism 34, which a passenger operates, actuates the heat transfer device 24. The passenger sets a desired thermal comfort level. The control mechanism 34 then determines if the desired thermal comfort level requires the actuation of the heat transfer device 24. If so desired, the control mechanism 34 signals for the actuation of the heat transfer device 24.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, the step of actuating a heat transfer device 24 may be further defined as circulating a flow of air 40 over the surface 20 of the panel 18 to remove heat from the surface 20. As discussed above in the preferred embodiment and the alternative embodiments two and three, the flow of air 40 is preferably exhausted through a vent 26 and directed over the surface 20 of the panel 18. Alternatively, as discussed in the fourth and fifth alternative embodiments, the flow of air 40 is drawn through the vent 26 such that the flow of air 40 removes heat from the surface 20 as the flow of air 40 passes from the interior compartment 14 to the vent 26.

As discussed in the alternative embodiment six and as shown in FIG. 7, the step of actuating the heat transfer device 24 may further be defined as circulating a liquid coolant 648 through at least one of the plurality of passageways 642. The at least one passageway 642 is adjacent the surface 20 of the panel 18 such that the liquid coolant 648 draws the heat from the panel 18 as the liquid coolant 648 circulates through the at least one passageway 642. The heat is then removed from the liquid coolant 648 by a method known to one skilled in the art.

The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards; thus, the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and do come within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of legal protection afforded this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims. 

1. A vehicle comprising: a body defining an interior compartment and a windshield; a panel having a surface extending from and under said windshield into said interior compartment of said body with said surface being exposable to sunlight through said windshield; and a heat transfer device for directly removing heat from said surface of said panel to control the temperature of said surface.
 2. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heat transfer device includes at least one vent disposed on said surface for directing a flow of air over said surface.
 3. A vehicle as set forth in claim 2 wherein said vehicle includes a control mechanism for actuating said heat transfer device.
 4. A vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein said vehicle includes a blower operatively connected to said control mechanism such that said control mechanism actuates said blower for providing the flow of air.
 5. A vehicle as set forth in claim 4 wherein said vehicle includes a heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) module in fluid communication with said blower and operatively connected to said control mechanism such that said control mechanism actuates said HVAC module for removing heat from the flow of air provided by said blower.
 6. A vehicle as set forth in claim 5 wherein said vehicle includes a plurality of passageways for circulating air through said interior compartment from said HVAC module and through said vent.
 7. A vehicle as set forth in claim 6 wherein said HVAC module includes at least one exhaust port in fluid communication with said at least one vent by at least one of said plurality of passageways wherein said HVAC module supplies the flow of air to said vent for directing the flow of air over said surface and directly removing heat from said surface.
 8. A vehicle as set forth in claim 6 wherein said blower includes at least one air return port in fluid communication with said at least one vent by at least one of said plurality of passageways wherein said blower draws the flow of air from said vent such that said vent directs the flow of air over said surface for directly removing heat from said surface.
 9. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heat transfer device includes a liquid coolant.
 10. A vehicle as set forth in claim 9 wherein said vehicle includes at least one passageway adjacent said surface such that said liquid coolant circulates through said at least one passageway for removing heat from said surface.
 11. A vehicle as set forth in claim 10 wherein said vehicle includes at least one valve operatively connected to said control mechanism such that said control mechanism actuates said at least one valve for controlling the circulation of said liquid coolant through said at least one passageway.
 12. A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vehicle includes a humidity sensor operatively connected to said heat transfer device for sensing an exterior humidity level outside said vehicle such that said heat transfer device will not operate if the exterior humidity level is above a pre-determined level for preventing condensation on said windshield.
 13. A method of cooling a panel having a surface extending from and under a windshield of a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of: heating the surface of the panel by subjecting the surface to sunlight passing through the windshield; and directly removing heat from the surface of the panel to reduce heating of the panel by sunlight.
 14. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said method further includes circulating a flow of air over the surface of the panel for directly removing heat from the surface.
 15. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said method further includes circulating a liquid coolant through at least one passageway adjacent the surface of the panel for directly removing heat from the surface.
 16. A cooling system for cooling an interior compartment of a vehicle including a windshield and a panel having a surface extending from and under the windshield and heated by sunlight passing through the windshield, said system comprising: a heat transfer device for removing heat from said surface; a control mechanism operatively connected to said heat transfer device; at least one passageway for passing a fluid flow across said surface of said panel and away from the windshield.
 17. A system as set forth in claim 16 wherein said system includes at least one vent in fluid communication with said at least one passageway for directing the fluid flow over said surface.
 18. A system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said heat transfer device includes a blower operatively connected to said control mechanism such that said control mechanism actuates said blower for providing the fluid flow.
 19. A system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said heat transfer device includes a heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) module in fluid communication with said blower and operatively connected to said control mechanism such that said control mechanism actuates said HVAC module for removing heat from the fluid flow provided by said blower.
 20. A system as set forth in claim 16 wherein said heat transfer device includes a liquid coolant circulating through said at least one passageway for conducting the heat away from said surface of said panel. 